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Don't wish your life away.
It's easy to say when things are good.
It's a lot harder when you're dealing with career changes, financial pressure, aging parents, family responsibilities, stress, uncertainty, and everything else life decides to throw at you.
In this episode of DADHOOD, Thomas and Frankie have an honest conversation about what happens when work, family, identity, and life collide.
Frankie looks back at more than 30 years in radio—including decades of waking up in the middle of the night for morning shows—and what it took to finally recognize how much his career was affecting his health, nervous system, and ability to be truly present with his family.
Thomas shares his own experience preparing to return to a full-time government position after several years with more freedom and flexibility. He opens up about the anxiety that comes with returning to an environment that reminds him of an intensely stressful period in his previous career—and the challenge of knowing he'll have to give up some of the freedom he's grown accustomed to.
That leads to a bigger question:
How do we provide for the people we love without losing ourselves in the process?
Thomas and Frankie talk about leadership, work-life boundaries, financial pressure, career identity, being intentional about where we spend our time, and why being a good leader isn't about having all the answers—it's about helping the people around you succeed.
Then a simple conversation with a neighbor puts everything into perspective.
During a particularly heavy month, Thomas's wife said she wished they could simply fast-forward to September.
His neighbor responded:
“You don't want to do that. You don't want to miss your life.”
Because someday, time—not money, status, productivity, or another promotion—may be the thing you wish you had more of.
In this episode:
• Career changes and the fear of starting over
• Providing for your family without losing yourself
• When work stress follows you home
• Frankie's 30-year career in morning radio
• Knowing when a career no longer fits your life
• Thomas returning to a full-time government position
• Anxiety around returning to an old type of work environment
• The lasting impact of the stress of 2020
• Protecting your nervous system and mental bandwidth
• Why more money isn't always worth less freedom
• Becoming a better leader by letting other people shine
• Supporting employees as people—not just workers
• Caring for aging parents
• Being present during difficult seasons
• Finding growth inside discomfort
• Why you should never wish a day of your life away
You don't have to love every season you're in.
But don't become so focused on getting through it that you forget you're living it.
Don't fast-forward your life.
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Website: dadhood.co
Instagram: @dadhood.co
YouTube: @dadhood
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